It’s been a tough season for Drake as he faces criticism from peers, sparked by Kendrick Lamar’s diss track and halftime show performance.
- Drake’s influence helped boost many artists’ careers, yet they criticized him instead of offering support.
- Boosie Badazz stepped up for Drake, slamming other artists for their disloyalty on Twitter.
- Drake seems to heed Boosie’s advice, choosing his collaborations more carefully after the backlash.
- The industry sees a new side of Drake as he modifies his approach to making music.
Drake has had a string of unnerving Sundays, particularly with Kendrick Lamar bagging five Grammys for the diss track “Not Like Us.” Adding salt to the wound, Lamar performed the song during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. This felt like a continuation of a campaign against him that started last March. His critics enjoyed every moment of it.
Boosie Badazz didn’t shy away from voicing his discontent over how Drake was treated. He took to Twitter, stating that the people whose careers Drake helped launch should have shown more support. ‘That’s weak a*s f*ck to me,’ he tweeted.
Boosie suggested that Drake shouldn’t offer features to artists who might abandon him in tough times, saying, “On God, if I was Drake nobody could ever get another feature from me.” It seems Drake listened. He’s been more selective, opting to work with names like Camila Cabello and Chino Pacas instead of prominent hip-hop artists.
DJ Khaled learned this the hard way. Banking on two features from Drake for his new album, he was taken aback when Drake publicly hinted otherwise by jokingly asking on Instagram if he meant “Drake Bell.” Khaled’s quick reaction to remove his album announcement was telling of the new dynamics.
Fans are now witnessing a different side of Drake. He’s tweaking lyrics to older songs during live performances, signaling that he’s not afraid to show a more confrontational side. He’s adapting and perhaps taking a page out of Boosie Badazz’s book.
Drake is treading a new path, mindful of his allies, as the music scene watches keenly.
